Before starting your research using PRONI's records or the eCatalogue, it can be useful to understand how records are catalogued and how PRONI references are formed.
A PRONI archive can range from a single document to many thousands of documents and each archive has a unique overarching reference number. The PRONI reference allows for archives and documents to be easily identified and located.
Prefixes
PRONI’s archives are split into two main categories
- Public records, created by government departments and public authorities
- Private deposits, comprised of records created by individuals, business or non-governmental organisations
Government department records
The prefix for records created by government departments is normally the first three letters of the name of the department or ministry.
For example, records of the Department of Finance (formerly Ministry of Finance) have a reference prefixed with the letters ‘FIN’.
Non-departmental pubic records
Non-departmental public authorities can include courts, local authorities, or health trusts.
The prefix for records created by these authorities is usually abbreviated initials.
For example, records of local authorities always have a reference beginning with the letters ‘LA’.
Privately deposited archives
Most privately deposited archives have a letter prefix plus a number. Together, these make up the main archive reference number.
For the example reference ‘D2778’
- 'D' tells you that this archive contains privately deposited original records
- '2778' is the unique deposit number for the private deposit
Classification schemes
PRONI’s catalogues are arranged in a hierarchical structure, which means they start broad and then break down into smaller, more specific sections.
This system is called a classification scheme which is organised like branches of a tree. The table below explains the individual parts that make up a PRONI reference.
| Catalogue Term | Explanation | Example(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Fonds | The top level reference for an archival collection. | CAB = Records of the Cabinet Secretariat D3030 = Castlereagh Papers |
| Series | A sub-section of the main archival collection, which can be grouped by various criterion including dates, themes or by record type. | FIN/1 = Ministry of Finance - Charity Files |
| Sub-series | A smaller group within an archive series | ED/5/4 = Department of Education - School Inspector's papers - Cash Books |
| Item | An individual record which can include files, photographs, documents and digital items | D654/A/2/29 = Londonderry Papers - Official Papers - Governor's papers - Returns for Newry |